It is now clear that the next US President would either be Barack Obama or John McCain. Both are good leaders. But if Indian interests are kept in mind, then it is McCain who will prove to be more helpful than Obama.

NOW THAT Hillary Clinton has conceded the Democratic nomination for the White House to Barack Obama, it is clear that the fight for the White House would be between Obama and John McCain.

I am of the view that Obama is good for the world. He would try to pull out of Iraq if he becomes the US President, provided the CIA allows him to do so. He would not be spending billions on arming Pakistan and would be building bridges of confidence with Iran and the rest of the Muslim world. But he would definitely not be in India’s favour. He will not lend support to any nuclear treaty with India. He would not try to build India as a strategic partner in Asia against the Sino-Pak-Bangladesh axis. Most important of all, he would not be support outsourcing, on which the the Indian economy hugely depends.

So, that makes McCain a candidate whom India should look up to. He would try to salvage the nuclear deal with India and try to build India as a strategic partner against China. He may support Pakistan with an arms haul but would ensure that Indian interests are not affected.

Most important of all, he would continue to allow outsourcing, which is so vital for India’s economy. So, I would want McCain to be in the White House for India’s sake.